Farrell returns to Boston, this time as new skipper

Boston, MA – The Boston Red Sox introduced John Farrell as their new manager on Tuesday and the team's former pitching coach is excited to get a chance at the job he lost out on last year.

Farrell spent four years as Boston's pitching coach, then left to become the manager of the Toronto Blue Jays in 2010. The managerial job unexpectedly opened in Boston last year and the Blue Jays denied him the opportunity to interview for the position.

After the Red Sox fired Bobby Valentine following a disastrous 2012 season, they asked the Blue Jays for permission to speak with Farrell again, and this time it was granted.

It didn't take long for the two sides to come to an agreement, as Farrell was given a three-year contract with the Red Sox, who also picked up pitcher David Carpenter from Toronto and sent shortstop Mike Aviles to the Blue Jays to complete the transaction.

"This is an incredible privilege to be standing here today," said Farrell, who was 154-170 in his two years as Blue Jays manager.

Farrell told the Blue Jays last year he was interested in replacing Terry Francona, then said again at the conclusion of this season that if the Red Sox came calling, he would like to explore the option.

"When it came up again this year... I expressed the same interest again," Farrell stated. "Fortunately, all parties were able to work out this trade."

While Valentine struggled with player relationships during his brief tenure in Boston, Farrell should have no such troubles. He added that he will still have to build relationships because the manager's role differs from that of the pitching coach.

"There's familiarity, but it will be my approach to start to earn that trust and re-establish those relationships," Farrell said. "Because I've been here before, there will be no taking for granted that relationships will exist."

Farrell said there is still enough talent with the Red Sox, despite the 69-93 season and last-place finish in the AL East. It was the worst season for the Red Sox since 1965.

"I still think there is a very good core group of players here," he noted. "We do need some work in the rotation. The capability is here and we need to get guys healthy.

"... For the fans that will watch this team take the field, our effort is controlled every night. It's something we can control every night and we will give forth our best effort as a minimum."

Farrell and general manager Ben Cherington each said they will work together toward the construction of the coaching staff. Valentine reportedly had issues with a few of his coaches after inheriting some of Francona's previous staff.

Cherington had interviewed four others -- Brad Ausmus, DeMarlo Hale, Tony Pena and Tim Wallach -- for the position before choosing Farrell.

"I've know John since 2002 when we were both farm directors," Cherington said in his introductory comments. "His integrity, leadership skills, intelligence are second to none and make him the right person for this job."

Farrell, a former big league pitcher in the late 1980s and early '90s, served as director of player development for the Cleveland Indians from 2001-06 before joining the Red Sox in '07.